Cherub
 

Hi,
this is a 24" X 36" oil.
It's not finished yet, I want to work more on the sky, and a bit on the fabric, but the shapes and values are here.
I want to finish it this week, so if you have something to to tell me, it's time.

The contrasts look too hard on my screen. The painting is more subtle in the dark parts.

I think this one looks better.

Marina,

Right now I am in awe. This is no cute baby portrait, even though the baby is adorable. This is a figurative piece that says something much more, I'm not sure what, but does the viewer have to be sure WHAT a work of art says, exactly? I would venture to say you are getting ready to move figurative art in a new direction.

The baby is really cute and normally I hate cute baby pictures but........

the most impelling component for me is the impending doom in the clouds, its beautiful and hard hitting.

Just my take on it though :)

Marina, wow! I love this painting! Your choice of placement for the baby is terrific. (When I saw the title of the thread I expected a wing-sporting baby.)

Really nice treatment of light, the satin is beautiful, the clouds convincing.

Your flesh tones are very nice. There's one thing, though - I would take a look at the baby's chin area. Just below and to the side of his mouth, the color is very warm and saturated. I think if you grey that area down just a tad, you'll see more convincing flesh tones.

Thanks Alex !
I knew you were going to say something interresting ang intelligent!
I had this piece in mind for a long time ( years!), but I had to wait because I wanted to control everything, and I didn't have all the skills to do it. I needed 5 photo sessions to obtain the pose, and the light I wanted, struggled with composition and colors, repainted the clouds several times...
Well, all the technical things were difficult but under control. The only thing I have no doubt is the concept. As you said it's not a cute baby portrait, even not really a portrait.
It's difficult for me to explain in french, so in english... I considere that children and babies are interresting beings with a rich interior life. I have a hundred more ideas in this direction...I would like to paint faster!

Hi Carolyn,
I laughed when I read that you hate cute baby pictures! I like cute baby picture, as long as they are photos in the family album!
In the beginning, there was some blue sky between the clouds, but finally I changed that.
Looks like an irish sky, now, isn't it?

Hi Cindy,
I wanted to keep things very simple, and didn't want to have superfuous elements like for exemple wings... I though that I could say what I wanted with those 3 elements: sky, baby and fabric...There was already so much possibilities...
Thanks for your comment, and you're right for the chin, I will correct that.

Marina, I love the skin tones. Nicely done! I have a baby commission coming up and am scared as hell, since I have never painted a baby before. I have a feeling I will be looking at your baby more often! ;)

Marina,
this is some baby !
I am not sure about the clouds, I feel that they are a bit massive. I would make them more diffuse, airy so that the contrast to the silky blue becomes higher.

This is really interesting as a figurative piece! The size of the baby compared to the rest makes it fascinating. I love the darker clouds. I love the hands and expression. Like Alex, I dont know what it is saying - but it matters not since everyone will read something into it. The only thing I am just the slightest hesitant about is the fabric. It is painted well, but just reminds me of something you would see in a portrait photography studio. Regardless - great job!

Marina, I love your concept and your skill level is ski rocketing.
I am not sure if my suggestions are appropriate but this is the critique section. Just in case, if what I say is not what you wish to hear than please disregard.

I'll start at the top with the clouds. The top part, the clouds, I like for they express form. I do not see that you have accomplished that with the rest of the clouds. The clouds behind the baby I feel should be the same value on both sides. I like the lighter version that you have on the right side.

The execution of the fabric is extra. I would use more by combine these hues and the warms of the flesh in the clouds. Still at this point that is personal taste.

The flesh tones and values are excellent. I love the way you have defined the hair with value and hue. I personally would work the cool red cheek color in the shadow of the forehead. At the moment it seems a touch to dark in the darkest part of the shadow.

The eyes, the fleshy parts below the pupils, the lines seem to hard.

One more thing. The chest in shadow. First, I think it is to dark and second the shadow color is not correctly representing the general skin color.

Well, I hope I was of some help to you.

Thanks Enzie.
Good luck for your commission. Try to make the photo session at a moment where the baby finished a nap and is not hungry. Prepare everything in the room before the baby comes, and try to have 2 adults to help you: the mother near the baby to reassure him, and another adult to clown around, so the baby will look in the direction you want. Don't forget that little children love to imitate what they see, this mimicry can help a lot sometimes.Make short photo sessions (5 mn-10mn max) and then go out of the room with the baby, and then go back, so the baby will keep his interrest longer.
Hope this helps...

Allan,
I came to the same conclusion as you, when I reworked the clouds, so it was certainly the thing to do. Thanks for your expert eye.

Hi Kim,
thanks for sharing your thoughts about the fabric. I didn't think at all about this could reminds portrait photography studio. I will keep that in mind for the next time : I hate portrait photography studio, and even more paintings which looks like that!

Mischa,
thanks for taking the time, I just had your PM. I post this painting in the critique section exactly for this.
I will check all the points you mention. Some of them are already resolved because I already worked on them.
I'll post an update image soon.

Marina, I noticed that you posted this in unveiling but there is one thing that just jumps out that I must share with you. I hope you don't mind.

The light area on the chest under the chin. This area bulges out to much. This mite be there, being the skin folds like that, but it is quite distracting like a unnatural lump on a angel. One more thing while we are at it. The tip of the nose between the highlight and the shadow seems incorrect value and it does not turn as it should. It gives the impression of a concave, a dip, instead of a convex.

Thanks Mischa,
I think I could work some small touches during hours, but there's a point where I make only unnecessary corrections. It's always helpful to have fresh eyes!

You painted the baby in an outstanding way imo :thumbsup: I suppose it is a hel of a job to make look a baby as a baby! The gray clouds are a bit depressing imo in contrast with the new life witch the baby is.